Aralik
Encyclopedia
Aralık is a town and district of Iğdır Province
in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey
. It is the location of the corridor that links Turkey with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic
of Azerbaijan
. Part of the district forms the international border between Turkey and Armenia
. The area later became a scene of 300 years of warfare between Turks (especially the Ottoman Empire
from 1534 onwards) and the Persian Empire. It was especially coveted for its salt mines. In 1746, the region was finally ceded to Persia and became part of the Erivan khanate
. After the Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828
and Treaty of Turkmenchay
, it passed from Persian to Russian control. Under Russian rule, the town became part of the Armenian Oblast
and later the Erivan Governorate
. For a brief period from 1917 to 1920, it was part of the Democratic Republic of Armenia
. However, it was ceded to Turkey as a result of the Treaty of Kars
.
is Dilucu Border Gate. Dilucu Border Gate which has been opened on 5 May 1992 has changed destiny and fate of Iğdır Province and its people. Border trade being conducted with Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is very important from viewpoint of Iğdır Province and thus from Turkey's economy.
Igdir Province
Iğdır Province is a province in eastern Turkey, located along the border with Armenia, Azerbaijan , and Iran. Its adjacent provinces are Kars to the northwest and Ağrı to the west and south...
in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. It is the location of the corridor that links Turkey with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic
Nakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. Part of the district forms the international border between Turkey and Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
History
During the medieval period, Aralık was part of the Kingdom of Bagratuni ArmeniaBagratuni Dynasty
The Bagratuni, Bagratid or alternatively Pakradouni royal dynasty of Armenia was a royal family whose branches formerly ruled many regional polities, including the Armenian lands of Sper|presently Ispir in Tayk Province of the Armenian Kingdom, Bagrevand in Ayrarat Province of the Armenian...
. The area later became a scene of 300 years of warfare between Turks (especially the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
from 1534 onwards) and the Persian Empire. It was especially coveted for its salt mines. In 1746, the region was finally ceded to Persia and became part of the Erivan khanate
Erivan Khanate
The Khanate of Erivan , was an administrative territory that was established Safavid Persia in the early 17th century. It covered an area of roughly 7,500 square miles, and corresponded to most of present-day central Armenia, most of the Iğdır Province of present-day Turkey, and the Sharur and...
. After the Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828
Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828
The Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828 was the last major military conflict between the Russian Empire and the Persian Empire.After the Treaty of Gulistan concluded the previous Russo-Persian War in 1813, peace reigned in the Caucasus for thirteen years...
and Treaty of Turkmenchay
Treaty of Turkmenchay
The Treaty of Turkmenchay was a treaty negotiated in Turkmenchay by which the Qajar Empire recognized Russian suzerainty over the Erivan khanate, the Nakhchivan khanate, and the remainder of the Talysh khanate, establishing the Aras River as the common boundary between the empires, after its...
, it passed from Persian to Russian control. Under Russian rule, the town became part of the Armenian Oblast
Armenian Oblast
The Armenian Oblast or Armenian Province ) was an oblast of the Russian Empire that existed from 1828 to 1840. It roughly corresponded to most of present-day central Armenia, the Iğdır Province of present-day Turkey, and present-day Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave...
and later the Erivan Governorate
Erivan Governorate
Erivan Governorate was one of the guberniyas of the Russian Empire, with its centre in Erivan . Its area was 27,830 sq. kilometres. It roughly corresponded to what is now most of central Armenia, the Iğdır Province of Turkey, and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave...
. For a brief period from 1917 to 1920, it was part of the Democratic Republic of Armenia
Democratic Republic of Armenia
The Democratic Republic of Armenia was the first modern establishment of an Armenian state...
. However, it was ceded to Turkey as a result of the Treaty of Kars
Treaty of Kars
The Treaty of Kars was a "friendship" treaty signed in Kars on October 13, 1921 and ratified in Yerevan on September 11 1922.Signatories included representatives from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which in 1923 would declare the Republic of Turkey, and also from Soviet Armenia, Soviet...
.
Dilucu Border Gate
One of the significant gates of Turkey opening into the Middle AsiaMiddle Asia
Middle Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west, to Mongolia in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north. The geographical term has appeared sometime prior to the 20th century in the Russian Empire and was closely associated with the Russian Turkestan and the...
is Dilucu Border Gate. Dilucu Border Gate which has been opened on 5 May 1992 has changed destiny and fate of Iğdır Province and its people. Border trade being conducted with Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is very important from viewpoint of Iğdır Province and thus from Turkey's economy.
Population
| Aralık Town Center's population | |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 7,239 |
| 2000 | 8,115 |
| 1997 | 7,983 |
| 1990 | 5,400 |
| 1985 | 4,700 |
| 1980 | 3,400 |